Established in 2009 Under the Authority of North Carolina General Statute 15A-404

A Charlotte man will spend 42 years in prison for attacking and raping his girlfriend two years ago.

Doran Arthur Atkins

Doran Arthur Atkins, 46, was convicted of first-degree rape and other offenses Friday by a jury in Mecklenburg County Superior Court.

His charges stem from February 2011, when he got into an argument with his then-girlfriend. During the argument, Atkins accused the victim of cheating on him. He pulled her into alley, beat her and began strangling her.

Later, he dragged the victim under a bridge in uptown Charlotte, where he strangled her with a belt. When the belt broke, he used his hands.

Atkins then sexually assaulted and raped her.

The victim testified against Atkins in court this week, despite being fearful of him, according to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office.

After the trial, a judge sentenced Atkins to spend between 509 and 640 months in prison and, upon release, be placed on satellite-based monitoring for the rest of his life.